Karzai Says He Won't Sign U.S. Deal

[unhappycamper]

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304791704579211271054226730

Karzai Says He Won't Sign U.S. Deal
By Nathan Hodge And Yaroslav Trofimov
Updated Nov. 21, 2013 7:39 a.m. ET

KABUL—Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that the crucial security deal with the U.S. should be deferred until after his successor is elected, a surprise move that may scuttle the just-reached agreement altogether.

"The agreement should be signed when the election is conducted, properly and with dignity," Mr. Karzai told the Loya Jirga assembly that he convened to consider the deal. "There is mistrust between me and America. I don't trust them, and they don't trust me," he added after showing the delegates a letter he said he received from President Barack Obama.

Mr. Karzai is slated to step down after presidential elections that are currently scheduled for April. Many Afghan politicians, however, believe the vote is likely to be postponed as Mr. Karzai seeks to steer a preferred successor into office, leaving little time for the security deal to be implemented before the U.S.-led coalition's mandate expires in December 2014.

Even the closest aides to Mr. Karzai were stunned by the president's bombshell statement, which came toward the end of a nationalistic speech in which he voiced a litany of complaints against the U.S.

[dipsydoodle]

1. He'd said words to that effect back in October.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=619193

I can only assume that Kerry wasn't listening.

[TwilightGardener]

2. John Kerry should be wanting to go at Karzai's head with a 2x4, at this point.

Pull the troops out, cut the funds, come home.